Apparatus for cutting samples



l m M12@ xo: .TNI J m m9 m9 m L M T T 3 d l H m H Om N95 O:\ @Q w QNKX EE. -:V O. 1.., l mw. ot w rh M m lm', a M |l..o D u A Patented Dec. 16, 1952 APPARATUS FOR CUTTING SAMPLES James J. Shanley, Washington, D. C., assignor to .National Steel Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application YNovember 17, 1949, Serial No. 127,840

This invention relates to apparatus for taking samples from moving strip.

'I'he present application is related to application Serial No. 72,472, filed January 24, 1949, by Joseph Echols and assigned to the assignee of this application. Y

In the production of metal strip, it is desirable to take samples of the strip at frequent intervals along the length of the moving strip before it passes t other sections of the mill or is coiled into large coils. Strip is customarily moved along at high speeds, and it is undesirable tostop the strip to enable samples to be Claims. (Cl. 164-99) taken. Stopping the strip reduces production and the interruption causes changes in the characteristics of the strip so that the strip is not uniform.

Flying sample punches have been proposed for taking samples from moving strip. These sampling devices have been complicated and eX- pensive and have necessarily included very complex control devices, all of which have made the cost excessive. Y

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide novel apparatus for taking samples from rapidly moving strip that is economical tobuild and use and that .will operate in a highly satisfactory manner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for taking as many samples as desirable along the length of moving strip and for taking these samples from the central portion or either edge portion of the strip as desired. v w Y Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for cutting samples from mov- .ing strip Without cutting a greater number of samples than desired so as to avoid jamming of the apparatus and damaging the strip.

Another object of the present invention isv to 'provide an improved control circuit for an apjparatus for cutting samples from moving strip.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of my invention, the strip passes through an :arc in contact with a rotatingI cylindrical sur- .'face. Means are provided 4within the cylindrical surface for severing a sample from the strip, :and the apparatus includes control means oplerable to cause the severing means to remove a :sample from the moving strip as is desired. The :samples can be removed from the central or yeither edge portion of the strip, and suitable safety control means is preferably provided to prevent inadvertent operation of the severing l ple. The present apparatus is relatively economical t0 construct and operate.

These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent from the following description, taken with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a transverse sectional view of apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end View partially in section and taken along line 3 3 of Figure 1;

Figures 4 and 5 are fragmentary sectional views taken along lines 4 4 and 5 5, respectively, of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional vieW taken along lines 6 6 of Figure 1;

Figure '7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the cutter head shown in Figure 2; and,

Figure 8 is an expanded diagrammatic View showing the electrical circuit for the apparatus of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, the sample cutting apparatus includes a drum or housing |05 rotatably mounted on trunnions |06 and |01 in supports |08. A sample cutting means |09 is mounted in housing |05 and is connected to a non-rotating shaft ||0 extending through hollow trunnion |01 to the exterior ofthe apparatus. The shaft 0 is longitudinally movable through trunnion |01 for moving the cutting means |09 longitudinally of the housing |05 to position the cutting means for cutting a sample from the central portion or either edge portion of the strip S rapidly moving through an arc extending part way around the periphery of the housing |05. A motor ||2 is mounted inside of housing |05 to drive the cutting means. Solenoid means 3 is arranged inside of the housing for moving the cutting means outwardly into a strip cutting position. The control circuit, shown diagrammatically in Figure 8, includes means to prevent the cutter means from cutting a sample except when facing outwardly toward the strip and includes means for preventing the cutting means from being moved outwardly to the cutting position except when in the correct position transversely 0f the strip or longitudinallyof the housing |05. I y

' The housing 05 includes a cylinder l5 having an outer cylindrical surface I6. A circular plate |11. is connected to one end of cylinder ||5 and carries the trunnion |01 and a cylindrical plate H8 is fastened to the other end of cylinder H5 and carries the trunnion |05. Thus, the housing |05 is rotatable about the axes of trunnions |00 and |01, and these axes coincide with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical surface IIS.

Any suitable type apparatus may be used for supporting and propelling the strip, and this apparatus may be of the type used in steel mills and other vplants for supporting and propelling strip along a predetermined path. Guide rolls and |2| guide the strip about the housing so that the strip is in contact with the cylindrical surface ||6 through an arc of about 90, and the axis of this arcuate path of the strip .coincides with the longitudinal axis of the housing.

The cutting means |09 is mounted in a square, box-shaped supporting member |22. One end of member |22 is slidably mounted in way |23 formed on the inside of cylinder ||5. The opposite end of member |22 is slidably mounted in way |24, also formed in cylinder ||5. The supporting member |22 and the cutting means |09 are slidable along ways |24 and |23 for moving the cutting means transversely of the strip and 'longitudinally of the cylindrical surface H0 for positioning the cutting means to cut a sample from the central portion or from either edge portion of the strip S. Spaced apart openings |26, |21 and |28 are provided in the cylindrical surface ||6, and these openings extend through a wall of cylinder l5. The opening |25 is in alignment with one edge portion of ythe strip while the opening |20 is in alignment with the other edge portion of the strip, and opening |21 is in alignment with the central portion of the strip. The openings are transversely aligned and are arranged so that when the cutting means |09 is moved transversely of the strip and along the longitudinal axis of the housing |05, the cutting means will move into alignment with these openings sc that the cutting means can be positioned at either one of the openings to cut a sample from the desired portion of the strip. As shown, three separate openings are provided. These openings may be continuous. Preferably, if the openings are continuous, the continuous opening extends around and across the cylindrical surface ||0 s o that the surface ||0 will form a better support for the strip. Especially if the opening is maintained relatively narrow, a continuous opening may be formed in the cylindrical surface I IB extending in a direction normal to the direction of strip travel.

The cutting means includes an annular cutter |29 rotatably mounted in a sleeve |30 which is, in turn, mounted in member |22. The cutter is rotatable about its axis which axis extends in a direction normal to the axis of rotation of the housing |05, and if the axis of rotation of the cutter is extended, it intersects the axis of the housing. Within the cutter |29, therer is slidably mounted a sample ejector |32 which is retained within the cutter by an annular ring |33 which is connected to the cutter and fits into a relatively wide slot |34 formed at ejector |32. The ejector |32 is urged outwardly against the strip by a compressed spring |36, and the ejector |32 has resilient inward and outward movement along the axis of rotation of the cutter |29. When the cutter |29 cuts a sample, as will be more fully hereinafter described, the ejector |32 pushes the sample outwardly, and if the sample tends to remain connected at some point to the strip, the ejector will bend or tilt the sample outwardly so that it will be caught and removed by the hook-shaped member |31 disposed along the path of the strip as shown in Figure 2.

Shaft |38 is connected to the cutter |29 and has an enlarged portion |40 adapted to slidably fit over a splined shaft |4| of motor H2. The shaft |38 and the cutter |29 are slidable relative to the motor shaft |4| along the axis of rotation .of the cutter. The solenoid coil |42 is mountedwithin member :|22 and extends about the shaft |39. The enlarged portion |40 of the shaft also .forms a core for the solenoid coil |42. A co.. pressed spring |43 normally urges shaft |39 toward the motor ||2 so as to urge the cutter |29 to a non-,cutting position within the cylindrical ,surface ||5 of housing |05. When the solenoid coil |42 of the solenoid means |13 energized, the enlarged shaft portion |40 is moved Vin a direction away from motor I2 against the pressure of spring |43 to move the cutter |29 outwardly along the axis of rotation of the cutter and through the opening in the cylindrical surface ||6 against the strip to the sample cutting position.

The shaft ||0 extends from within the housing |05 through jhollow trunnion |01 to a position outside of the housing. The inner end of shaft ||0 is rotatably mounted in a bearing |45 connected to member |22. As shown more clearly in Figure 6, a bracket |40 is mounted on one of the supporting posts |00 and has formed thereon a tongue or key |41 which fits in an elongated slot |48 formed in the bottom of the shaft I i0 to prevent the shaft from rotating. The shaft ||0 is longitudinally slidable through the trunnion |01 to vmove the member |22 and the cutter |29 back and forth longitudinally of the housing |05 to position the cutter in alignment with anyone of the openings |26, |21 or |28. Rotationwise the shaft |I0 is stationary and does not rotate with 'housing |05.

The present apparatus includes a control circuit which is so arranged as to prevent operation of the cutting means except when the cutter |29 is in the correct position for cutting a sample from the strip S. Referring more particularly to Figures 4, 5, 6 and 8, conductive metal strips |50 and |5| are mounted on opposite sides and are electrically insulated from the shaft H0. The bar |50 is in electrical contact with a fixed member |52 which is yconnected through wire |53 to one side of a source of electric current. The elongated bar |50 is in sliding contact with member |52 so that the bar |50 is connected to the source of electric current at all times when the shaft ||0 is moved longitudinally of the cylindrical housing |05. The bar |5| is in sliding elec trical contact with contact member |54 which is connected through wire |55 to the opposite side of the source of electric current. In a cover |55 on cross arm |51 in the housing |05, there is mounted a non-conductive annular ring |50. A conductive ring |59 is mounted inside of ring |50. Rings |58 and |59 rotate with housing |05. A relatively short, arcuate conductive contact member is mounted on shaft ||0 and insulated therefrom by a non-conductive member i6 i. The internal surface of member |59 is continuously in sliding contact with the external surface of member |60 so that these members are always electrically connected together. The contact member is connected through wire |02 and bar |5| to the source of electric current. Wire |53 connects motor ||2 to the annular conductive member |59 and wire |04 connects the solenoid |42 to wire |03 so that the solenoid |42 and the motor ||2 are at all times connected to one side of the source of electric current. y

An annular conductive member |85 is mounted within cover |58 and insulated therefrom by a non-conductive member |88. A relatively short, arcuate conductive member |87 is mounted on shaft and insulated therefrom by non-conductive member |58. Members and |67 are continuously in electrical contact with each other. The conductive member |87 is connected through a wire |69, normally open switch and wires |7| and |72 to the bar |59 which is connected to a source of electric current. The conductive member |85 is connected through wire |73 to the motor ||2 so that when switch |78 is closed the circuit to motor ||2 is completed and the motor is energized to rotate the cutter |29.

A third annular non-conductive member |76 is mounted in cover |56 and includes an arcuate, conductive metal insert |75. A conductive contact member |78 is mounted on shaft H9 and insulated therefrom by non-conductive member |77. The conductive members and |76 are arcuate segments which are in electrical contact with each other when the cutter |29 is in the same quadrant as the strip S. The conductive member |76 is connected through wire |78, normally closed switch |79, wire |80, normally closed switch |8| and wire |82 to switch |83. The normally open switch |83 is connected to wire |72 and the source of electric current. The conductive member |755 is connected through wire to a timer |88 which is in turn electrically connected to the solenoid- |42. rIhe timer |88 is of the type which disconnects solenoid |42 from wire |85 a predetermined period after the solenoid |42 and timer |88 are energized to pre vent inadvertent energization of the solenoid. The timer |88 automatically breaks the circuit between solenoid |22 and wire |85 a predetermined period after a sample is cut to prevent inadvertently re-energizing solenoid |92 upon the next rotation of contact |75.

The control circuit includes means for preventing accidental movement of the cutter |29 outwardly toward the cutting position when the cutter is not in alignment with one of the openings |26, |27 or |28. Each switch |79 and |8| includes a movable, elongated switch button |83 and |89, respectively. The switch buttons |88 y and |89 are mounted in shaft I 0 in such a position that when shaft l0 is moved longitudinally to move the cutter into alignment with any one of the openings, one of the buttons |88 or |89 is depressed to open the corresponding switch when the cutter is not in alignment with an opening. As shown in Figures 1 and 8, the cutter is in alignment with opening |27, buttons |88 and |89 are in the raised position, and switches |79 and |8I are closed. If shaft ||0 and cutting means |09 are moved to the right, button |88 is depressed by trunnion |07. When button |88 is depressed, switch |79 is open, and the circuit to solenoid |42 is broken so that if switch |70 is closed solenoid |42 is not energized. Upon further movement of shaft l0 to the right, the cutting means moves into alignment with opening |28 and button |88 moves outside of trunnion |87 so that button |88 is no longer depressed and switch |79 is closed. Similarly, if shaft ||0 is moved to the left from the position shown to move the cutter into alignment with opening |26, button |89 is depressed and switch 18| is opened when the cutter is between openings |27 and |28.V

An upright handle is mounted on the outer end of shaft ||0, and handle |90 carries switches |70 and |83, Figure 1. An arm |9| is pivotally mounted on shaft I0 adjacent handle |90 and is normally held away from handle |90 and switch |70 by a spring |92. When the operator wishes to cut a sample, the operator grasps handle |90 and arm 9| in his hand. The operators grip will move arm |9| against handle 90 and switch |70 to close the switch. The closing of switch |70 closes the circuit to motor ||2 which then rotates cutter |29. If the operator wants to cut a sample from the strip S', he closes switch |83 with his thumb and when contacts |59 and |60 are in engagement or contact with each other, the rotating cutter is moved outwardly through opening |27 to cut the sample. If it is desired to cut a sample from either edge portion, the operator, while gripping handle |90 and handle |92, moves shaft I0 either inwardly or outwardly to move the rotating cutter linto alignment with either opening |28 or |28. While the cutter is between the openings, one of the switch buttons |88 or |89 is depressed, and, if the operator closes switch |83 with his thumb, the solenoid is not energized, and the cutter is not moved outwardly. When the cutter is in alignment, either with opening |28` or |28, both switches |79 and |8| are closed, and the operator can energize solenoid |42 to cut a sample by closing switch |83 when desirable. If the operator inadvertently holds switch |83 closed through more than one rotation of housing |05; timer |86 will prevent the cutting of more than one sample. After a predetermined period, which is long enough to permit the operator to release switch |83, timer |86 automatically closes and reconnects solenoid |42 to wire |85 so that another sample can be cut,

In the present apparatus, the cutter is movable longitudinally of the housing or drum and transversely of the strip. Thus, a sample can be readily removed from the desired portion of the f strip to determine the physical and chemical characteristics of the strip. For example, when producing non-coated strip, it is necessary to determine frequently the hardness and other characteristics and when producing coated strip such as tinplate, it is necessary to determine the thickness and at times other characteristics of `the coating portion of the strip,

I claim:

1. In apparatus for cutting samples from strip moving through an arcuate path, a housing h aving an elongated external cylindrical surface for engaging a surface of the strip las it moves through such an arcuate path, means supporting the housing for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical surface, a sample cutter, supporting means in the housing supporting the cutter for rotation about an axis normal to said longitudinal axis, motor means carried by the cutter supporting means for rotating the cutter, the motor means including a rotatable shaft means aligned with and rotatable about the eX- tended axis of cutter rotation, cutter shaft means connected to the cutter and connected to and slidable along the motor shaft means so that the cutter is connected to the motor shaft means when moved along the extended axis of cutter rotation, and means carried by the cutter supporting means for moving the cutter from an inoperative position within the cylindrical surface outwardly along the extended axis of cutter rotation to a strip cutting position adjacent the cylindrical surface for cutting a sample from thestrip.

2. In apparatus for cutting samples from strip moving through an yarcuate path, a housing having an elongated externall cylindrical surface for engaging a surface of the strip as it moves through such an arcuate path, means supporting the housing for rotation about the longitudinal axis, of the cylindrical surface, a sample cutter, supporting means in the housing supporting the cutter for rotation about an axis normal to s-aid longitudinal axis, motor means carried by the cutter supporting means for rotating the cutter, the motor means including a motor shaft means aligned with and rotatable about the extended axis of cutter rotation, cutter shaft means connected to the cutter Iand to the motor shaft means, the cutter shaft means being slidable along the motor shaft means while maintaining connection therewith, a solenoid field means through which the cutter shaft means extends, means normally maintaining the cutter in an inoperative position within the cylindrical surface, solenoid core means connected to the cutter shaft means so that energization of the solenoid eld means moves the solenoid core means and the cutter from the inoperative position outwardly along the extended axis of cutter rotation to a strip cutting position adjacent the cylindrical surface for cutting a sample from the strip.

3. In apparatus for cutting samples from strip moving through an arcuate path, a housing having an elongated external cylindrical surface for engaging 'a surface cf the strip as it moves through such anv arcuate path, means supporting the housing for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical surface, a sample cutter, supporting means in the housing supporting the cutter for rotation about an axis normal to said longitudinal axis, ways in the housing extending transversely of the strip, the cutter supporting means being mounted in said ways for movement therealong, and motor means carried by the cutter supporting means for rotating the cutter.

4. In apparatus for cutting samples from strip moving through an arcuate path, a housing having Ian elongated external cylindrical surface for engaging ya surface of the strip as it moves through such an arcuate path, a sample cutter, supporting means in the housing supporting the cutter for rotation -about an axis normal to said longitudinal axis, motor means carried by the cutter supporting means for rotating the cutter,

means carried by the cutter supporting means for moving the cutter from an inoperative position within the cylindrical surface outwardly along the extended axis of cutter rotation to a strip cutting position adjacent the cylindrical surface for cutting `a sample from the strip, and ways in the housing extending transversely of the strip, the cutter supporting means being mounted in said Ways for movement therealong.

5. In apparatus for cutting samples from strip moving through an arcuate path, e, housing having 4an elongated extern-al cylindrical surface for engaging a surface of the strip 'as it moves through such an arcuate path, trunnions at opposite ends of the housing, bearing means engaging the trunnions and supporting the trunnions and housing for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical surf-ace, one of the trunnions being hollow, a sample cutter including cutter actuating means, supporting means in the housing supporting the cutter for rotation about an axis normal to said longitudinal axis, ways in the housing extending transversely of the strip, the cutter supporting means being mounted in said ways for movement therealong, and shaft means connected to the cutter supporting means including a portion extending through the hollow trunnion to a point outside of the housing, said portion being slidably mounted in said hollow trunnion for longitudinal movement therein.

6. In apparatus for cutting samples from strip moving through an arcuate path, a housing having an elongated external cylindrical surface for engaging a surface of the strip as it moves through such an arcuate path, trunnions at opposite ends of the housing, bearing means engaging the trunnions and supporting the trunnions and housing for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical surface, one of the trunnions being hollow, a sample cutter including cutter actuating means, supporting means in the housing supporting the cutter for rotation about an axis normal to said longitudinal axis, ways in the housing extending transversely of the strip, the cutter supporting means being mounted in said ways for movement therealong, shaft means connected to the cutter supporting means including a portion extending through the hollow trunnion to a point outside of the housing, said portion being slidably mounted in said hollow trunnion for longitudinal movement therein, and holding means preventing the rotation of the shaft means with the housing and cutter supporting means.

7. In apparatus for cutting samples from strip moving through an arcuate path, a housing having an elongated external cylindrical surface for engaging a surface of the strip as it moves through such an arcuate path, trunnions at opposite ends of the housing, bearing means engaging the trunnions and supporting the trunnions and housing for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical surface, one of the trunnions being hollow, a sample cutter including cutter actuating means, a plurality of cutter openings in the cylindrical surface, supporting means in the housing supporting the cutter for rotation about an axis normal to said longitudinal axis, shaft means connected to the cutter supporting means including a portion extending through the hollow trunnion to a point outside of the housing, said portion being slidably mounted in said hollow trunnion for longitudinal movement therein, switch means mounted on said shaft means and movable therewith along a predetermined path, and iixedly mounted switch actuating means in position along the path of switch movement to actuate the switch means only when the cutter is in alignment with a cutter opening.

8. In apparatus for cutting samples from strip moving through an arcuate path, a housing hav- `ing an elongated external cylindrical surface for engaging a surface of the strip as it moves through such an arcuate path, trunnions at opposite ends of the housing, bearing means engaging the trunnions and supporting the trunnions and housing for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical surface, one of the trunnions being hollow, a sample cutter, a plurality of cutter openings in the cylindrical surface, supporting means in the housing supporting the cutter for rotation about an axis normal to said longitudinal axis, means carried by the cutter supporting means for moving the cutter from an inoperative position within the cylindrical surface outwardly along the extended axis of cutter rotation to a strip cutting position adjacent the cylindrical surface for cutting a sample from the strip, shaft means connected to the cutter supporting means including a portion extending through the hollow trunnion to a point outside of the housing, said portion being slidably mounted in said hollow trunnion for longitudinal movement therein, switch means mounted on said shaft means and movable therewith along a predetermined path, and xedly mounted switch actuating means in position along the path of switch movement to actuate the switch means only when the cutter is in alignment with a cutter opening.

9. In apparatus for cutting samples from strip moving through an arcuate path, a housing having an elongated external cylindrical surface for engaging a surface of the strip as it moves through such an arcuate path, trunnions at opposite ends of the housing, bearing means enga-ging the trunnions and supporting the trunnions and housing for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical surface, one ci the trunnions being hollow, a sample cutter, supporting means in the housing supporting the cutter for rotation about an axis normal to said longitudinal axis, means carried by the cutter supporting means for moving the cutter from an inoperative position within the cylindrical surface outwardly along the ended axis of cutter rotation to a strip cutting position adjacent the cylindrical surface for cutting a sample from the strip, ways in the housing extending transversely of the strip, the cutter supporting means being mounted in said Ways for movement therealong, shaft means connected to the cutter supporting means including a portion extending through the hollow trunnion to a point outside of the housing, said portion being slidably mounted in said hollow trunnion for longitudinal movement therein, holding means preventing the rotation of the shaft means with the housing and cutter supporting means, a plurality of cutter openings in the cylindrical surface, switch means mounted on said shaft means and movable therewith along a predetermined path, and xedly mounted switch actuating means in position along the path of switch movement to actuate the switch means only when the cutter is in alignment with a cutter opening.

l0. In apparatus for cutting samples from strip moving through an arcuate path, a housing having an elongated external cylindrical surface for engaging a surface of the strip as it moves,

through such an arcuate path, trunnions at opposite ends of the housing, bearing means engaging the trunnions and supporting the trunnions and housing for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical surface, one of the trunnions being hollow, a sample cutter, supporting means in the housing supporting the cutter for rotation about an axis normal to said longitudinal axis, motor means carried by the cutter supporting means for rotating the cutter, means carried by the cutter supporting means for moving cutter from an inoperative position within the cylindrical surface outwardly along the extended axis of cutter rotation to a strip cutting position adjacent the cylindrical surface for cutting a sample from the strip, ways in the housing extending transversely of the strip, the cutter supporting means being mounted in said ways for movement therealong, shaft means connected to the cutter supporting means including a portion extending through the hollow trunnion to a point outside of the housing, said portion being slidably mounted in said hollow trunnion for longitudinal .movement therein, holding means preventing the rotation of the shaft means with the housing and cutter Supporting means, a plurality of cutter openings in the cylindrical surface, switch means mounted on said shaft means and movable therewith along a predetermined path, and xedly mounted switch actuating means in position along the path of switch movement to actuate the switch means only when the cutter is in alignment with a cutter opening.

JAMES J. SHANLEY.

No references cited. 

